Ms. Celaneous
When did you decide art was in your future?
Aug 19th
The editor over at ArtBistro.com recently asked the following question: “When did you know you wanted to be an artist, professionally or on the side? ” Here’s my answer: “For as long as I can remember. I was always considered the class artist, as one might be considered the class clown. I drew and wrote poetry and made up songs as a child. As an adult, I first decided I wanted to be a singer/songwriter. But my overwhelming fear of performing in front of others put a quick end to that dream. Painting and drawing and later sculpture, assemblage and collage soon became my primary means of creative expression. And I’ve never looked back. Since 1995 (the year I bought my first Mac), I’ve added digital art and photography to my repertoire. ”
How would you answer that question?
My New Signature Raven Flute…
Aug 19th
The Signature Raven flute by flute-maker Odell Borg.
I am amazed and delighted by my newest flute, The Signature Raven by flute-maker Odell Borg. Odell and his son Jonah create their marvelous flutes under the name High Spirits Flutes. If you are at all interested in the Native American Flute (NAF), you should definitely stop by their website at <http://www.highspirits.com>. Since receiving this marvelous and melodic instrument, it has become a very important part of my daily meditation practice. This particular flute is tuned to the key of F#. It is made from “ebonized” walnut, and features spiny oyster inlay work. The flute is a work of art in and of itself. I recorded these brief MP3 files to give you a taste of the flute’s beautiful and haunting sound. Click below.
Raven Flute #1
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Raven Flute #2
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Observation 8.15.2010
Aug 15th
Who in their right mind would ever think that war was preferable to peace, that hatred better than love, that indifference more desirable than compassion? Who in there right mind? Exactly!
New Book “500 Cabinets” Features Two Works by Burnell Yow!
Jul 15th
"From a closed hutch and bedside table to cupboards, curios, and a waterfall chest of drawers, these 500 outstanding contemporary cabinets showcase the art and craft of fine furniture making. These newly made works celebrate shape, joinery, detailing, color, or the subtle combination of all those qualities. Above all, each piece testifies to the design and technical skills of its creator, and has that most precious element of all: imagination." (From the description.)
I am so pleased to announce the release of the Lark Books publication "500 Cabinets," in which are featured two works from my Cabinet Sculpture series. The two pieces are "Balance" and "Cathedral, on pgs. 81 and 116, respectively. The book is available from Amazon.com at http://amzn.to/b5vMI7
Book is also available from Barnes & Noble.
I feel honored to have had these two works of art selected for this remarkable book.
Click an image to view larger.
Five Fingers Update – 4.16.10…
Apr 16th
Well, well, well. It’s been two weeks since I first slipped my bare feet into a pair of Vibram Five Fingers. I have never been so in love with a shoe. Like my wife, Betsy (who has been wearing them for five days longer then me), I am reluctant to take them off at night, and I look forward each morning to putting them back on and heading out for a walk.
As I mentioned in my previous post, the shoes do require some getting used to, as your body adapts to walking and/or running in a more natural and, I believe, healthy way. But my feet and legs are definitely feeling stronger. I am treading more lightly upon the earth and (here’s the wonderful part) am feeling a real physical connection to the surfaces I walk upon. Why? Simply because I can actually feel them. I can feel the difference between, let’s say, a smooth concrete sidewalk and one with small pebbles embedded in it. I love feeling all this sensory stimulation that my feet have been denied all these years by wearing thick-soled and overly padded modern shoes.
And my toes are luxuriating in their new-found freedom. Before crossing a street, I love to stand at the curb’s edge and actually grab it with my toes. Betsy refers to her feet now as "happy feet," and she, like me, enjoys the stimulation of the variety of textures the city’s sidewalks have to offer. We’ve also both experienced a wonderful lessening of lower back pain. I feel more stable on my feet – and more energetic. And it’s only been two weeks!
If I’ve peaked your curiosity, then check out http://www.birthdayshoes.com and http://www.vibramfivefingers.com
Five Fingers Shoes…
Mar 31st
The Five Fingers shoe from Vibram is called the barefoot alternative. And as you can see, they quite literally fit like a glove, each toe in its own sleeve. While they may look odd, they are becoming very popular and, judging from the countless reviews I’ve read from satisfied purchasers, it is with good reason. Betsy was the first of us to take the leap with this radical footwear. It was her raving about them after wearing them for less than a week that convinced me to give them a go. That was three days ago, and I am reluctant to take them off at night. And I can’t wait to put them on in the morning. They do take some getting used to, as you use muscles in your feet, ankles and legs that you are probably not used to using. I find that the toes, especially, are brought more into play as one walks or runs (yes, I said “runs”), which is perfectly normal. Indeed, we evolved walking barefoot, and when we wear so-called normal shoes, the toes are rendered pretty useless. So, do expect some soreness as one’s body adapts to what I am starting to believe is a healthier way of getting around. And yes, those are my feet in the photo.
For those curious to find out more, I’ve included URLs for several sites about these unique footwear. Also, you can simply Google “Five Finger shoe.”
http://birthdayshoes.com/ (You can download a “Beginner’s Guide to FiveFingers” pdf from this site.)
http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/
http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2009/05/07/vibram-five-fingers-shoes/
http://www.allclimbing.com/archive/2009/07/review-vibram-five-fingers-shoes/
Tale of the Trash that Would Not Be…
Feb 12th
As a trash and found object artist, I personally collect most of the materials with which I work. The trash items may be collected from curbside trash in the city, from dumpsters, even bits of interesting litter rescued from underfoot. Found objects are purchased for pennies at flea markets and thrift stores. But I am also fortunate enough to find bags of cast off items on my stoop from time to time – flotsam and jetsom left behind by friends and family who know of my proclivity for transforming trash to treasure. And even Betsy’s students will bring me the occassional bag or two filled with cast-off Barbie dolls, broken Walkmans, assorted toys and toy parts that no longer fire their young imaginations. One such item is pictured here: an eight inch high resin figurine. Now, I don’t use or keep everything that makes its way to my studio door. Some of it ends up going out with my own trash for curb-side pick up come Monday morning. The pictured item was one that didn’t make it to my work bench. I knew immediately that I wouldn’t be using it in an assemblage, so into the trash bag it went with all manner of other refuse, and come Monday morning it was at the curb. But not for long.
As I exited my studio very early that morning to grab a bite at a local breakfast spot, I noticed the figurine on the sidewalk next to a small tear in the bag, as though it had orchestrated an escape from its black plastic prison. Well, I thought to myself, if you really want to stay, who am I say otherwise. I carried the figurine back into the studio. She now sits on my workbench and oversees the numerous contructions, assemblages and collage works that mark the hours, days and weeks in the life of a trash artist.
Click image for a larger view.
This guy is so much more than just a tree hugger…
Oct 17th
I just had to share this video with you. I love trees, always have. You might say I feel a kinship with them even. And what Diego has done here is nothing less than an honoring of our leaved companions.
Diego Stocco – Music From A Tree from Diego Stocco on Vimeo.
Operation Studio Clean Up – 10.11.09
Oct 11th
Here’s a few photos of the studio as it looked for the 2009 Philadelphia Open Studio Tours this weekend. Had about 150 visitors. Saw a few familiar faces, but most were first-timers. All in all, it was a pleasant time. We also directed most folks to the second floor to meet Nora The Piano Cat. She played a bit on Saturday, but mostly napped on the paino bench on Sunday – at least until everyone left. She then played as Betsy and I went around turning off the lights in the paino room. I guess that’s why she’s a Diva.
Operation Studio Clean Up – 9.27.09
Sep 27th
Thirteen days till the Open Studio event. Thirteen days to make the space accessible and attractive. The pressure is on. The deadline is looming. And now suddenly I begin to feel motivated. "I can do this," I keep telling myself. "Nothing motivates like a deadline." Nevermind that I will be gone for three days to Hudson, New York for an art opening during the next two weeks. That leaves only ten days to work in the studio.
And this isn’t just about cleaning up. There are certain changes I’ve been wanting to make, e.g., moving work tables, installing shelves and pegboard on the walls. Why make those changes now when it would be so much easier (and quicker) to just do a clean up? Because I’m absolutely out of my mind. Having said that, here’s what I did today:
I removed all framed prints and photos from the south wall. Then I installed pegboard. The old oak drawers you see in the photo will be removed and a shelf installed in their place. My work tables will butt up against that shelf. The photo below shows the wall with the pegboard installed.
